Spendor vs. Von Schweikert?

Arkio,

Spendors are very good speakers. I never said they will not work well with any other type of music. I just said spendors work very well with the type of music I played. I did not mention this earlier. I did play Pop & Jazz and it sounds darn good as well. I am not an audiophile. I play my audition discs and expect the speakers to put me in musical world. Spedors did that darn well and so did DynAudio Contour S1.4, Totems and Sonus Faber. But Von Schweikert failed to put me in the musical world.

Again I am not an audiophile. Von Schweikert may be producing the music precisely...I am not sure. What I know is, it did not emotionally involve me in the musical world. What is the point in accurate musical re-creation when the listener can not be emotionally involved in the music he is listenng to. Again, this is very personal opinion and can change from individual to individual

Grakesh

Dodgealum, check Audiogon carefully, there are just as many if not more Spendors for sale at any one time then VSR. That’s not a very valid point anyway, because people upgrade all the time. VSR speakers get progressively better (signifcantly) as you go up the line and when people afford it they often move up. Something that might be the polar opposite in the Spendor line. Aren’t the small moniters signifcantly better then the floor standing speakers? One thing I want to make clear is I really do have lots of respect for Spendor speakers, their history and designs are time tested and they do have legions of fans. I am not bashing that , all I am saying is there is a good altenative in the VSR line which to me sounds more like real music. The ‘Slight dip’ you speak about is more like a big dip in the upper midrange which skews the speaker to the warm/suropy side that gives all music a distinctly unnaturally warm sound. If you like that coloration… good. Obviously many people do ! Perhaps you could enlighten all of us what precisely about the 4jr’s sound that makes it sound old for you… what equipment did you listen to them with? Not to berate you because your opinion is as valid as mine.. I am just curious. Giving a blanket statement that they are not as musical as the Spendors seems a bit of a generality. To me the VSR4jr are as natural as I have heard in the under 8K range and to me they easily reveal the components you use in front of them precisely. I can tell cable changes easily with these speakers. They play what the CD/album has to offer, nothing more / nothing less. No artifical sweeteners there ! Also the idea that Spendors have some exclusivity to one being able to listen to them for long period without fatigue. I routinely listen for 6-8 hours or more with not a hint of fatigue… just pure exhileration and exitement. I have a feeling listening to the spendors for any period of time would put me to sleep… :) Maybe that’s why so many people like them.

Grakesh,
If you think the VR4jr lose something in terms of musciality/emotion then I would suggest you heard the auxileries and not the speakers. I guarantee you, I could change your mind about the VR4jr if you heard them properly setup. There would be no doubt in your mind about there ability to convey emotion, pace and rhythm of music beautifully . Dare I say, even better then the Spendors. That said, I have a feeling you like that sweet mid-range sound (BBC sound) for some reason … and if that works for you then congratulations. Nuff said.

As always, good listening, I know I shall be.

Arkio,

I have this opinion about Von Schweikert because I have heard VR4SR with DK Design Reference Integrated Amplifier which is an integrated amplifier with Tube Pre and SS Power. DK Design has very good reputation for being a very good amp. If I remember well, the cdp is CARY cdp I guess. But VR4SR costing almost 10K did not provide the musical rhythm that a $3000 Totem Forests (or) $3500 SF Cremona Auditors (or) $4800 SF Grand Piano (or) $4000 Totem Mani-2 (or) $1800 Spendor S5e (or) $3000 Spendor S8e could do. Again, this is a very personal opinion applicable to my music taste.

Grakesh

It has been ages and ages since I have had a listen to the Spendor line, however I can indeed say that the VSA JR4's are indeed worth your listen. I find them to be truly a muscial speaker. Be it tubes or SS, there is music in those speakers.

I currently have the VR4SR with DK VS1 MK2 amp and Sony XA777ES. IC is Kimber KS-1030. Speaker wire is Signal Silver resolution biwired. No treatment in the power area. I also use Siemens CCa for the pre section.

I can tell you that music has never been better for me. Listening to Diana Krall, Sara Chang violin, John Williams guitar, and FIM sampler discs can be a real joy. It's just like I go to a live concert everytime I listen. I have no experience in Spendor speakers so I cannot compare. However, I had listened to all the big names carried in the Washington DC area such as Dynaudio, JM Lab, B&W, Aerial, Wilson, Vienna Acoustic,and others.

Since I have another setup in the home theater which includes B&W N804/N805/HTM1 with Classe CAV180 + Bryston SP1.7 and numerous different cables, I tried the VR4SR with different units to find the synergy and the setup above is best for me. I also tried to drive the SR with Plinius 8200 MK2 (which I also own) and it does not work for me.

I also want to point out that since I replaced the Mullard CV2492 with the Siemens CCa, the music becomes much more involved and detailed without harshness.

Everyone has different ears and component matching is important to suit your taste.